Each April, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) brings together thousands of advocates, activists, survivors, and supporters across the United States. April 2024 will mark SAAM’s 23rd anniversary, but its ripple effect has been felt for much longer. The beginnings of SAAM began taking root as early as the 1940’s, when movements for equality and social change began gaining traction in the United States. Social activism around sexual assault continued well into the sixties, and by 1971, the first ever rape crisis center was founded in San Francisco. Over time, these awareness efforts and support services for victims led to legislation and funding that would support survivors, one such example being the Violence Against Women Act of 1993 (VAWA).
Despite all of these monumental changes in legislation and awareness, it’s surprising just how many people have never heard of SAAM. When we look at the lack of awareness around SAAM, particularly in small communities, the reason why is clear: It’s difficult to prevent an issue that no one is willing to talk about.
Perhaps this unwillingness comes from the sense of safety that we are lucky to feel in our rural communities. While we often hear of large-scale issues happening in more populated areas, it’s easy to forget it, to say to ourselves, “That kind of thing doesn’t happen here.”
Statistics, however, prove otherwise. According to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violene Survey (Chen, et al., 2023), over 53% of women and over 29% of men reported experiencing contact sexual violence. This same study also shows that most women and men across all sexual identities who experienced contact sexual violence reported that the person who harmed them was someone they knew. Interestingly, the statistics here at home are even higher; according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Reporting Database, rape happens at a higher rate in Utah than the national average. Utah is ranked 9th out of 50 states for number of rapes per capita.
Whether we talk about it or not, whether we like it or not, the facts speak for themselves. These statistics are staggering, and make 2024’s SAAM theme even more appropriate.
This April, SAAM’s focus is on Building Connected Communities. We are all a part of a community, and communities take many forms. Workplaces, campuses, organizations, neighborhoods, and our small hometowns are all examples of communities. Having a community to which we belong can be powerful. It creates a sense of togetherness, and serves as a reminder of how our actions impact the people around us.
At the very heart of SAAM’s Building Connected Communities theme is the belief that each one of us can contribute to our respective communities by ensuring they are safe and inclusive for all. Creating a “connected community” means recognizing that the ways in which we discuss sexual violence impacts those around us—survivors, their families, their friends, and society as a whole. Just as a community can be powerful, we must remember that our words, too, hold power. When even one of us doesn’t feel respected or safe, each member of our community is affected.
At New Horizons Crisis Center, we are excited to join rape crisis centers across the U.S. in efforts to raise awareness about sexual violence during the month of April, and we’d like to invite you—the members of our beloved communities—to do the same.
One of the simplest ways in which to join the movement is to “start by believing.” Wednesday, April 3 is Start by Believing Day, and we invite you to pledge to believe survivors when they disclose sexual assault. You can do this by posting on social media about the importance of being a listening ear for a survivor, or you can participate by setting aside a few moments to learn the best ways to respond when a survivor trusts you with their experience. Another easy way to participate in April’s SAAM is to join advocates and survivors in wearing your favorite pair of jeans on April 24’s Denim Day.
As an organization, we encourage you to take the opportunity to explain the significance of April’s SAAM to your family members, your friends, or even your teens. Because, as we know, building safe, connected communities begins with open, honest communication around difficult conversations.
New Horizons Crisis Center is a nonprofit organization which serves survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and the homeless in Sevier, Sanpete, Piute, Millard, and Wayne counties. We offer many types of assistance and prevention programs, along with resources and referrals to other agencies. Our organization relies on donations and volunteers. If you are in need of services, or if you are interested in volunteering with or donating to our organization, please reach out to our office at (435) 896-9294, or visit us online at centralutahcrisisintervention.org. Our 24/7 crisis hotline is free and confidential. If you need someone to talk to, please contact us at 1-800-343-6302.
For more information about Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), we invite you to visit the National Sexual Violence Resource Center online, at nsvrc.org/saam.
